Nadene Goldfoot
Israel is normally 10 hours ahead of Portland, Oregon, though this can shift to 9 or 11 hours depending on the exact dates when daylight saving time changes in each region. Here's what has been going on in Israel while we slept.....
The IDF and Shin Bet killed Hamas’ Rafah
Brigade commander Nayal Abu Obeid in a
drone strike in southern Gaza last night.
This infers it happened this September 16, 2026.
Abu Obeid took over the Rafah Brigade in May 2025 after his predecessor, Mohammed Shabana, was killed in Khan Younis alongside Mohammed Sinwar, then head of Hamas’ military wing.
But, my question is, JUST WHO IS ABU OBEIDA? WHO IS
NAYAL or NAEL ABU OBEIDA or aka ABU ATIYA THAT WAS
SAID TO BE KILLED?
Supposedly he was assassinated on August 30, 2025.
Now it's said he was killed September 16, 2026. (last night)
Whoever, Nayal and Mohammad Obeida were are now dead.
On 30 August 2025, Huthayfa Samir Abdallah al-ahlout was
assassinated in an Israeli airstrike at his residence in an
apartment building in Gaza City] The strike, which
hit the city's Rimal neighborhood, killed at least 11
people, including Abu Obeida and children.
A Palestinian source later told Al Arabiya that
Obeida was killed, along with everyone else in
the building. Israeli Defense Minister Israel
Katz and the Israel Defense Forces confirmed his death
the following day. On 29 December, Hamas
confirmed Obeida's death, and reaffirmed the
deaths of former Hamas leader Mohammed Sinwar,
former commander of the Rafah Brigade Muhammad
Shabana, senior commander Ra'ad Sa'ad and Hakam
Al-Issa who were also killed by Israel. Hamas'
armed wing, Al-Qassam Brigades, on its Telegram
channel, released a video statement where it said:
“We pause in reverence before … the masked man
loved by millions … the great martyred
commander and spokesperson of the Qassam
Brigades, Abu Obeida.
Al-Qassam Brigades, also known as the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades (EQB; are the military wingof the Sunni Islamist Palestinian nationalist organization, Hamas Al-Qassam Brigades are the largest and best-equipped militant organization operating within the Gaza Strip in recent years.
The fighters' identities and positions in the group often remain secret until their death. Even when they fight against Israeli incursions, all the militiamen wear a characteristic black hood on which the group's green headband is attached. The Brigades operate on a model of independent cells. Even high-ranking members are often unaware of the activities of other cells. This allows the group to constantly regenerate after member deaths.
At the beginning of the Second Intifada, the group became a central target of Israel. Al-Qassam Brigades operated several cells in the West Bank. Hamas retained a forceful presence in the Gaza Strip, generally considered its stronghold.
The strike comes amid a recent campaign to eliminate Hamas leaders. I would say the impedus to this was October 7, 2023 and the urgency to stop Hamas. This actually quick enough action, but comes from a lot of decision making and thought in keeping the government together as well since there is so much to discuss about it.
The IDF now controls more than 64% of the Gaza Strip, including key entry points and crossings, which has drastically limited Hamas’ ability to smuggle weapons and rebuild its arsenal. But while their military capabilities and leadership have been severely degraded, Hamas still remains armed and is focused on restoring local governance and rebuilding a presence across parts of Gaza.
Israel is reportedly aiding Saudi Arabia with intelligence assistance amid the kingdom's fight against the Houthis, according to diplomatic sources in the region. According to the sources, the assistance is being transferred to Riyadh through the U.S. military’s Central Command (CENTCOM) and does not involve operational support or direct Israeli participation in the fighting.
Saudis have turned to Trump for help. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman recently asked President Donald Trump for direct U.S. military strikes against Yemen's Houthi movement, but Trump declined the direct intervention request.
Resource:
israelAM
Wikipedia
